Speedo repair?

[9723]

I did search through the forum, and saw lots about the speedo and the speed sensor, but not really about repairing the speedo.

Can it be repaired?

I wondered at first if the speed sensor might be out because that's what most of the forum topics led too.

I plugged in my Actron Code reader and drove up my driveway, to code reader tells me the mph. Couldn't be the speed sensor.

I managed to pull the instrument cluster and got down to the last connector and decided I had no idea if anything could be done. All looked clean and tight, so I put it all back together to look for more info.

I'll drive enough to see if the odometer works this afternoon, but the speedo is dead. The rest of the gauges work.

The fuses are good and everything else works fine.
Anybody know if the speedo can be fixed, or is it the whole cluster?

This is a '97 XLT 2.3L 5 speed.

Thanks!

.

 

[RonD]

You can test the electric speedometer with an AA battery

Watch short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVz6ilGiTBY

Yes, if CEL is not on(code P0500) then speed sensor(VSS) is not the problem
Also if Cruise control works then it isn't VSS issue

Never tried to swap speedometer motor, just the whole unit so can't say which would be best

 

[Curious Hound]

I have replaced stepper motors on a GM gauge cluster before. It wasn't a terrible project. I'm not sure how similar the Ford cluster is. But I would expect the same type of setup.

If you can get the parts and you have decent soldering skills, you should be able to do it.

Eric B

 

[9723]

I'll keep this advise, thanks.

For now, it's working again. I just took it out (no fun) unplugged it and plugged it back in. At least now I know how to get it out.

I don't know how long it'll work, but it does for now.

Thanks!